Sarah Knafo Officially Enters 2026 Paris Mayoral Race, Poses Challenge to Far-Right Vote

Sarah Knafo, the only elected official from the far-right Reconquête party and former campaign director for Éric Zemmour in 2022, officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of Paris on January 7 during a TF1 broadcast. Aiming to succeed Anne Hidalgo, Knafo, 32, has positioned herself as a determined candidate focused on tackling issues in the capital, particularly emphasizing her goal to "put an end to the waste in the capital."

Knafo's entry makes her the sixth candidate in the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for March 15 and 22, 2026, joining rivals like Thierry Mariani from the National Rally, Rachida Dati of Les Républicains, Pierre-Yves Bournazel of Renaissance and Horizons, Emmanuel Grégoire from the Socialist Party, and Sophia Chikirou representing La France insoumise.

Importantly, Knafo has ruled out any ambitions for the 2027 presidential election, stating she hopes for a different candidate to represent her party. Political observers note that her participation alongside Mariani risks splitting the far-right vote, which could jeopardize their chances of surpassing the 10% electoral threshold needed to enter the Paris Council.

Though Knafo had previously concentrated on national politics with a radical platform, she now plays a direct role in Paris's local electoral landscape, signaling a new dynamic in the capital's political contest.